Qedani Mahlangu should account for #LifeEsidimeni deaths: Dr Matsoso

Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu has allegedly been suspended by the global banking,Picture: BONGIWE MCHUNU

Director General of the National Department of health Dr Precious Matsoso has questioned why former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu has not been called to the Esidimeni arbitration hearing sitting in Johannesburg.

Matsoso made the statement while under examination by Solidarity council Dirk Groenewald in response to a question on whether or not Mahlangu’s resignation was enough in light of the tragedy.

Matsoso said while she could not make a judgement on whether or not Mahlangu’s resignation was enough or not, laws and processes should be followed.

“One should ask why she has not been called to this process to account,” Matsoso said.

Matsoso is the third witness to be called by the council for the state Tebogo Hutamo, who has put emphasis on what government has done in implementing the recommendations of the health Ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba.

Family members attending the proceedings agreed with Matsoso saying Mahlangu must be called to account for the tragedy that saw the deaths of at least 118 people.

Matsoso testified how some of the NGOs that were tasked with caring for the psychiatric patients were worse than others saying one of the NGOs in Centurion was, in fact, a horse stable.

The sitting heard how other provinces had terminated their contracts with Life healthcare Esidimeni, however, no tragedy occurred when compared to Gauteng.